Fruit with Prosciutto

Melon is the fruit most traditionally paired with prosciutto, but this deep pink, delicate meat — the most prized of all Italian hams — is good with whatever summer fruit is in its prime. The fruit should be fragrant even before you cut it open, and the flesh should be firm, not mushy. A pinch of sea salt will bring out its natural sweetness.

 

Fruit with Prosciutto

 

Nectarines, figs, cantaloupe, honeydew and/or other ripe summer fruits

8 paper-thin slices prosciutto

1/2 lemon

Sea salt

 

Pit or seed the fruit, if necessary, and cut into halves or wedges. If using melon, cut the rind from the fruit. Arrange the fruit and prosciutto on a platter. Squeeze the lemon over the fruit, and then sprinkle with a pinch of salt.

 

Serve right away, instructing diners to wrap the fruit in the prosciutto. Serves 4-6.

 

Fresh take: In the fall, track down Fuyu persimmons, which taste of apricot and tomato. In place of the prosciutto, try northern Italian besaola, a mildly sweet air-dried beef, or serrano ham.

 

Recipe from Good Food to Share, by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan.